by Justin LagatThe 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon will be an awesome one! The fields for both the men’s and women’s elite are named. Our friend from Kenya, Justin Lagat, opines about the fields and the potential for marathon nirvana.
Mary Keitany, 2017 NYC Marathon, photo by Photorun.net
Mary Keitany, Brigid Kosgrei and Gladys Cherono in the women’s field, along with Americans Molly Huddle and Emily Sisson. On the men’s side, Mo Farah, Eliud Kipchoge, Wilson Kipsang and Abraham Kiptum will provide some great viewing. A few weeks ago, someone reminded me how hot the Tokyo Marathon will be. They picked Brigid Kosgei as the one to watch for Tokyo.
Brigid Kosgei, 2019 Aramco Half Marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net
On a final note, Eliud Kipchoge knows he can be beat by Mo Farah, that is one of the reason’s why Kipchoge is the best marathoner in the world. That is why Kipchoge will run his race, and not a race that gives any advantages to Mo Farah.
Mo Farah, 2017 World Championships, photo by PhotoRun.net
Eliud Kipchoge, 2018 Berlin Marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net
Abbott WMM leaders; Mary Keitany, Brigid Kosgei and Gladys Cherono are all in the 2019 London Marathon elite start list
Some of the most amazing marathon performances on the women’s races last year were Mary Keitany’s solo run at the New York City marathon and an almost similar run by Brigid Kosgei at the Chicago City marathon. It was a prayer and hope for many fans to get to watch the two run against each other this year in the same race, and it seems their prayers have finally been answered.
The organizers of the London marathon have already announced the two to be part of the elite fields for the April event, together with the reigning Berlin marathon champion Gladys Cherono. With Vivian Cheruiyot as well coming back to defend her 2018 title, the London marathon boasts one of the best ever elite fields assembled in any women’s marathon race in recent times. Former 10,000m track star, Linet Masai will also be part of the elite field.
Not sure if it was to make it easier for the Abbott World Marathon Majors organizers to easily pick the winner after the London Marathon, but all the top three contenders with 25 points each will be at the starting line. Whoever wins here between Kosgei, Keitany and Cherono will cather the maximum possible points to win the jackpot.
Keitany will also be looking to better her personal best time of 2:17:01, which happens to be the women’s only world record for the marathon. With such a great line up, fast times and one exciting women’s race should be expected in April.
The men’s race will be equally exciting with Mo Farah hoping to beat arguably the best marathon runner of all time by the name Eliud Kipchoge.
Former world record holder, Wilson Kipsang and Abraham Kiptum, who set a new world record for the half marathon distance last year in Valencia, will be some of the other elites that will add excitement to an already exciting men’s line up.
